Male pattern baldness, a condition often influenced by heredity, affects a significant number of men, with an increasing prevalence as they age. Fortunately, there are available treatments, such as medication, laser therapy, and surgery, to address this issue.
When experiencing a receding hairline or thinning crown, it's natural to seek understanding regarding the reasons behind this phenomenon and potential solutions. In this article, we will delve into the causes of male hair loss and the treatments that can help mitigate its progression.
Primary Cause - Male Pattern Baldness:
The leading cause of male baldness is androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male pattern baldness. Remarkably, this condition accounts for approximately 95% of male hair loss cases, as highlighted by the American Hair Loss Association.
This condition stems from a genetic predisposition to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a byproduct of testosterone. The genetic sensitivity to DHT prompts a gradual reduction in hair follicle size over time, leading to shorter lifespans for individual hairs. Ultimately, these affected follicles cease to produce hair, resulting in the characteristic patterns of male pattern baldness.
Typically, male pattern baldness follows two primary patterns: thinning on the top and around the temples, which may eventually create a "horseshoe" of hair around the sides and back of the head, or a receding front hairline that pushes the hairline further back on the head.
To evaluate the extent and pattern of hair loss in men, the Norwood classification system, consisting of seven stages, serves as a common benchmark.
Onset and Variability:
The initiation of male pattern baldness can differ from one individual to another. Data from the American Hair Loss Association illustrates this variability:
1. Approximately 25% of men with hereditary male pattern baldness may notice hair loss prior to the age of 21.
2. By age 35, approximately two-thirds will have experienced some level of hair loss.
3. As men approach 50, around 85% will observe a noticeable thinning of their hair.
These statistics underscore the widespread occurrence of male pattern baldness, emphasizing variations in the age of onset and the degree of hair loss.
Other Contributing Factors:
While male pattern baldness is the primary cause of hair loss in men, it is not the exclusive one. In contrast to male pattern baldness, other hair loss conditions often present additional symptoms and exhibit less predictable patterns of hair loss.
Several conditions can lead to varying degrees of hair loss, some of which may be permanent, while others are reversible:
1. Alopecia areata: An autoimmune condition where the body's immune system erroneously targets healthy hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. Typically, it leads to small patches of hair loss on the scalp but can affect other body areas, including the beard, eyelashes, or eyebrows. Hair regrowth may vary.
2. Telogen effluvium: Excessive hair shedding, usually occurring 2 to 3 months after a physical shock, illness, surgery, significant weight loss, or severe stress. Hair loss is typically temporary, with regrowth taking place within 2 to 6 months.
3. Nutritional deficiency: The availability of essential nutrients such as iron, protein, vitamin D, and other dietary vitamins is crucial for overall health and healthy hair growth. A deficiency in these nutrients can result in increased hair loss.
medications resulting in baldness
Certain medications are associated with temporary hair loss, and discontinuing these medications typically leads to the resumption of hair growth. Such medications include chemotherapy drugs, acne medications like isotretinoin (Accutane), antifungal drugs (particularly voriconazole), anticoagulants such as heparin and warfarin, immunosuppressants, blood pressure medications like beta blockers and ACE inhibitors, cholesterol-lowering drugs such as simvastatin (Zocor) and atorvastatin (Lipitor), and antidepressants like sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac).
Effective treatments for hair loss, particularly in cases of male pattern baldness, encompass a spectrum of options, ranging from topical products applied to the scalp to more invasive procedures designed to restore hair growth or replace lost hair. Some of the well-regarded and efficacious treatment choices for hair loss include :
Treatment of Baldness
The two medications that have demonstrated efficacy in treating or preventing further male pattern hair loss are finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) and minoxidil (Rogaine, Ioniten). Finasteride is administered in pill form and requires a prescription, while minoxidil is a topical treatment available over the counter.
It's essential to note that it may take a minimum of 6 months of consistent use for either treatment to yield visible results.
Laser Treatment
Low-level laser therapy is a non-invasive approach that can enhance scalp circulation and promote hair follicle stimulation. Although it is a relatively recent treatment option, it has been considered safe and well-tolerated, particularly when compared to hair transplant surgery.
While research on laser therapy and its impact on hair growth is somewhat limited, certain studies have shown promising outcomes. For example, a study conducted in 2013 that involved 41 men aged 18 to 48 revealed a notable 39 percent increase in hair growth among participants who underwent laser hair surgery.
Hair transplant surgery
Hair transplant surgery primarily encompasses two widely practiced procedures: follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE).
FUT entails the extraction of a strip of skin from the back of the scalp, where hair remains abundant. This strip of skin is subsequently divided into numerous small fragments known as grafts. These grafts are then transplanted into areas of the scalp lacking hair growth.
Conversely, in the FUE technique, the surgeon individually extracts healthy hair follicles from the scalp and proceeds to create small incisions in hairless areas. These extracted, healthy follicles are meticulously placed into these incisions.
Male pattern baldness is mainly hereditary and hard to reverse without surgery. However, you can prevent further hair loss when you notice thinning by using treatments like Finasteride and Rogaine for androgenetic alopecia. Keep in mind that discontinuing these treatments can lead to resumed hair loss, so consult your doctor.
To maintain hair health and prevent other hair loss causes:
1. Consider regular scalp massages for potential hair growth stimulation.
2. Quit smoking, as it may contribute to hair loss.
3. Manage stress through activities like exercise, meditation, or deep breathing.
4. Maintain a well-balanced diet rich in protein, iron, and vitamins.
5. Consult your doctor if you suspect your current medications are causing hair loss to explore alternative options.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that balding, often due to male pattern baldness, is typically hereditary and can start at a young age. While you can't prevent it, you can slow it down with treatments like Finasteride, minoxidil, laser therapy, or hair transplant surgery. If you're worried about hair loss, consult your doctor or dermatologist to explore suitable treatment options.
By Andrew Anongu, DailyHealth.
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